Small Business Advisory
Services program
Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance
Customer Guidelines
Applications for the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural
Disaster Assistance close at 5 pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on
Wednesday 10 April 2013.
February 2013
Further information
These guidelines are available on the AusIndustry website at www.ausindustry.gov.au,
under ‘Programs’, or by calling the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46.
Contents
1 Introduction ................................................................................................................... 4
1.1 Nature and purpose of the guidelines ........................................................ 4
1.2 Background......................................................................................... 4
1.3 Objective of the Small Business Advisory Services program ............................. 5
1.4 AusIndustry’s role ................................................................................. 5
2 The applicant ............................................................................................................... 5
2.1 Potential applicants ............................................................................... 5
2.1.1 Collaborative application ......................................................................................... 6
2.2 Applicant eligibility requirements .............................................................. 6
3 Application round ....................................................................................................... 7
3.1 Preferred kinds of applications ................................................................. 7
3.2 Level of funding ................................................................................... 9
3.3 Period of funding ................................................................................. 9
3.4 Ineligible activities and costs ................................................................... 9
3.5 Eligible Expenditure ............................................................................. 11
3.6 Merit criteria ..................................................................................... 11
4 The application process........................................................................................... 14
4.1 Obtaining an application package ........................................................... 14
4.2 Completing the application form ............................................................ 14
4.3 Submitting an application ..................................................................... 14
4.4 Late Applications ................................................................................ 15
4.5 Acknowledgment of applications ............................................................ 15
5 The assessment and decision process ................................................................. 15
5.1 Assessment of applicant eligibility ........................................................... 15
5.2 Conflict of Interest .............................................................................. 16
5.3 Assessment of applications ................................................................... 16
5.4 Due diligence .................................................................................... 17
5.5 The decision process ........................................................................... 17
5.6 Announcement of successful applications ................................................. 17
5.7 Applicant feedback ............................................................................. 18
5.8 Complaints ....................................................................................... 18
5.8.1 Assessment process .............................................................................................. 18
5.8.2 Customer service .................................................................................................. 19
6 Conditions and obligations for successful applicants ...................................... 19
6.1 Funding Agreements ........................................................................... 19
6.2 Funding payment requirements .............................................................. 21
6.3 Project Reporting Requirements ............................................................. 21
6.4 Monitoring and Evaluation of the Small Business Advisory Services program ..... 23
6.5 Publicity and promotion of successful applications ...................................... 23
6.6 Taxation ........................................................................................... 24
7 Privacy and confidentiality ..................................................................................... 24
Appendix A Definition of Key Terms ........................................................................... 4
1
Introduction
1.1
Nature and purpose of the guidelines
The Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster
Assistance (SBAS QNDA) Customer Guidelines stem from the Ministerial
Guidelines and are designed to provide potential applicants with the information
they will need in order to make an informed decision as to whether they should
apply for funding under the Small Business Advisory Services program. The
guidelines also outline the information that potential applicants will need to
include in an application. Applicants and those responsible for the administration
of the program will generally operate in accordance with these guidelines.
Potential applicants should read these guidelines in their entirety, as well as the
associated application form and sample funding agreement, prior to making a
decision to submit an application.
1.2
Background
In light of increasing pressures on businesses to adapt quickly to changes in their
operating environment, the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland
Natural Disaster Assistance (SBAS QNDA) has been developed in response to exTropical Cyclone Oswald (and associated rainfall and flooding). The Small Business
Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance will provide
small businesses in Queensland, with access to low cost business advice, including
tailored knowledge and advisory services to meet the needs of their businesses
and providing referral services to government programs. The initiative would be
targeted towards improving management capability, business skills and / or
financial management skills of participating small businesses in Queensland that
are directly or indirectly impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald (and associated
rainfall and flooding).
On 28 February 2013 the Government announced a new round to eligible
applicants, for example Business Enterprise Centres (BECs) and Registered
Business Organisations (RBOs) through competitive, merit based funding round to
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provide high quality, low cost advisory services and targeted towards improving
management capability, business skills and / or financial management skills of
participating small businesses located in Queensland that are directly or indirectly
impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Oswald (and associated rainfall and flooding).
Funding is intended to supplement and not replace existing funding
arrangements from other sources.
1.3
Objective of the Small Business Advisory Services program
The objective of the Small Business Advisory Services program is to maximise the
innovation, sustainability, productivity and/or growth potential of the participating
small businesses through access to low cost business advisory services.
This application round will enable the selected grantees to provide high quality,
low cost advisory services and targeted towards improving management
capability, business skills and / or financial management skills of participating
small businesses that are directly or indirectly impacted by this natural disaster.
1.4
AusIndustry’s role
AusIndustry is a specialist program delivery division within the Department of
Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education (DIISRTE). It has
overall responsibility for the management and administration of the Small
Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance.
2
The applicant
2.1
Potential applicants
Eligible organisations that are able to demonstrate capacity to deliver business
advisory services to small businesses in Queensland may apply for funding under
the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster
Assistance. These organisations may include organisations such as Business
Enterprise Centres (BECs) and Registered Business Organisations (RBOs), including
community organisations, or Institutes of Technical and Further Education (TAFEs).
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2.1.1 Collaborative application
A collaborative application from a group of the above organisations may be
accepted, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria.
The collaborative organisations participating in the project must select one
eligible organisation as the lead applicant. The lead applicant must submit the
application and must meet the eligibility requirements as listed in 2.2.
A collaborative project cannot exceed the funding amount as listed in 3.2 of the
Small Business Advisory Services Customer Guidelines.
2.2
Applicant eligibility requirements
At the time of submitting an application for funding, the applicant must meet all
of these eligibility requirements:

be a not-for-profit organisation

be incorporated under a relevant law of the Commonwealth, State or
Territory. TAFEs are excluded from this requirement

have an Australian Business Number (ABN)

be a BEC or a RBO (as defined in Appendix A)

be able to clearly demonstrate the capacity to deliver high quality, low cost
business advisory services to small businesses.
Evidence of meeting these eligibility requirements must be provided at the time
of submitting an application.
If you would like further information on the definition on a BEC or an RBO please
contact AusIndustry on 13 28 46.
Individuals, small businesses, partnerships and trusts are not eligible to apply for
funding under the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural
Disaster Assistance. An incorporated trustee of a trust may apply, provided that
doing so does not contravene the rules of the trust deed. Trustees must also
meet all eligibility criteria and demonstrate to the Australian Government’s
satisfaction that their obligations as trustee under the trust deed would not
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conflict with their obligations in relation to the funding. Evidence of Trust
Structure must be provided at the time of submitting an application.
Note: that all applicants must have an ABN. While registration for the goods and
services tax (GST) is not required under these guidelines, GST status may impact
on the manner in which funding payments are made.
It is a requirement under the Small Business Advisory Services program
Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance that a Funding Agreement with the
Commonwealth be entered into before funding can be paid to a successful
applicant.
Additionally, if successful, applicants must have the following insurances for the
term of the funding agreement:

workers compensation, as required by law

professional indemnity for an amount of no less than $3 million per claim

public liability for an amount of no less than $10 million per claim (or
occurrence giving rise to a claim)

assets insurance (where applicable).
3
Application round
3.1
Preferred kinds of applications
AusIndustry, on behalf of the Australian Government, is seeking to fund suitable
organisations to deliver high quality, low cost business advisory services to small
businesses in Queensland.

Applications must be focused on providing business advisory skills for
participating small businesses in Queensland

Applications must be relevant, providing business advisory services that will
contribute to maximising the sustainability, productivity and/or growth
potential of the participating small businesses.
Examples of the advisory services the project could provide include:
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o Business Management Skills: This may include advice on general
business management including human resources, Work and health
Safety, Intellectual Property, legal issues, supply-chain management,
e-commerce take-up and the use of information technology and
broadband.
o Financial Management Skills: This may include advice on accounting
practices, cash flow, guidance on available banking and finance
products, leasing guidance and credit management.
o Business Planning Advice: This may include a diagnostic assessment
of individual small businesses, followed by business planning advice
that meets the needs of small businesses incorporating things such
as business continuity, succession planning and marketing plans.
o Mentoring and Networking for Business: This may include one-onone, group sessions and networking opportunities for small
businesses.
o General Business Advice: This may include providing advice and
tailored knowledge to small businesses, including recommendations
about government programs and regulatory compliance. Successful
applicants will be required to promulgate information about business
support measures, on behalf of the Australian Government.

Applications must be practical and be oriented towards action learning for
participants to build business skills and/or organisation capability, and may
include mentoring.

Business advisory services must be delivered in a flexible manner that suits
the needs of participant small businesses. The business advisory services will
cater for the specific needs of women and other client groups as
appropriate.
As the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster
Assistance is a competitive, merit-based grant program, all applicants in the
funding round will be considered against the eligibility criteria. If eligible, the
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application will be considered against the merit criteria to determine whether the
application is of sufficiently high relative merit to be funded.
Only the most competitive applications will be funded. As such, meeting the
eligibility and merit criterion to a high degree does not guarantee an offer of
funding.
3.2
Level of funding
Funding allocations would be up to $100,000 (GST exclusive) per annum.
3.3
Period of funding
Successful applications will not be funded for periods greater than 24 months. All
service delivery activities and expenditure must be finalised within the dates
specified in the funding agreement. A sample copy of the Small Business Advisory
Services Program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance Funding Agreement is
available on the AusIndustry website at www.ausindustry.gov.au, under ‘Programs’.
Follow the links to Small Business Advisory Services. Alternatively, call the
AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46.
3.4
Ineligible activities and costs
Funding will not support the following types of activities:

Counselling services: Funding for Small Business Advisory Services program
Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance will not support counselling. There
are already services which are being supported by the Australian
Government such as Beyond Blue, Red Cross and the Salvation Army. Small
businesses or small business owners requiring counselling will need to be
referred to these or similar organisations.

Technical and vocational training: Funding for Small Business Advisory
Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance 2013 will not
support technical or vocational training relating to the conduct of the
business activity.
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
Research activities and feasibility studies: Funding for Small Business
Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance will not
support applications that involve the conduct of research or feasibility
studies.

The production of study guides, reports: Funding for Small Business
Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance 2013 will
not support applications which relate only to the development and
publication of study guides, manuals, instructional videos/web content
and/or reports or information kits. However, this does not preclude the
production of publications to support the delivery of the project/services.

Activities involving school students: As the focus of funding under the
Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster
Assistance is to assist established or intending small businesses, funding will
not support activities involving training, or any form of formal (secondary or
post-secondary) education for non-business owners.

Participation at other conferences/seminars: Funding under the Small
Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance
will not provide assistance for individuals/groups to attend conferences or
seminars being run independently of the project covered by the funding,
either in Australia or overseas. However, this does not preclude the running
of project activities in conjunction with a conference or seminar in the
organisation's area.

Overseas travel: Funding under the Small Business Advisory Services
program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance will not support any
request involving funding for overseas travel.

Staff Training: Funding under the Small Business Advisory Services program
Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance will not support any activities to
develop the professional or other skills of the applicant organisation, the
applicant’s employees or any subcontractors. There is an expectation that the
applicant organisation will have the necessary skills.
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
Membership fees: Funding under the Small Business Advisory Services
program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance will not support any
request involving the use of funding for membership fees.
3.5
Eligible Expenditure
Funding under the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural
Disaster Assistance may support operational, infrastructure or other costs or
expenses that are directly involved in the delivery of the project up to 10% of the
value of the total grant (GST exclusive).
Examples of particular items that may be supported, where they can be justified,
include:
o rent for additional office space
o administrative operational costs, including project audit costs and
insurance fees
o purchase of equipment relevant to the delivery of the project such
as computers, laptops and phones
o purchase, upgrade or lease of a motor vehicle.
Please note assets over $2,000 must be specifically itemised in the budget. Refer
to the Small Business Advisory Services Funding Agreement for more information.
3.6
Merit criteria
Applications for funding under the Small Business Advisory Services program
Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance will be assessed competitively against
other applications and the merit criteria outlined below. All merit criteria are
equally weighted.
Responses to each merit criteria must make reference to how the proposed
project is relevant, practical, flexible and focussed on small businesses. (Refer to
3.1).
Criterion 1 The extent to which the application demonstrates that there is a
particular unmet need and/or demand for the proposed services
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and/or project in the area/sector within which it is intended to be
conducted.
In addressing this criterion, the applicant will need to address how their
organisation will assist small businesses in Queensland impacted directly or
indirectly by the disasters declared under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery
Arrangements (NRDAA). . The applicant will need to demonstrate:

the need and/or demand that the proposal is seeking to address in the
organisation's region/area/sector.

how the proposal, in their view, relates to/or fits into existing small business
services in the region/area/sector

how the proposal, in their view, will fill a gap in current services available in
the organisation's region/area/sector.
Please Note: The applicant must provide specific evidence to substantiate their
claims. Examples of documentary evidence may include information from
reputable sources (e.g. ABS or Sensis), reports, case studies and/or letters of
support from community organisations. Examples of methods of identifying
unmet/ and or need in a region/area/sector may include, but are not limited to:
conducting a ‘competitor assessment’; or a survey of small businesses in the
selected region/area/sector.
Criterion 2 The extent to which the proposed service and/or projects will
meet stated objectives and the level of risk to that success,
including how risks will be addressed.
In addressing this criterion, the applicant will need to demonstrate in the
application:

the applicant’s ability and track record in the delivery of high quality, low
cost business advisory services to small business

the availability of sufficient resources (e.g. facilities, suitably qualified
personnel, equipment and finance) required to deliver quality services to
small business
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
the applicant's managerial, administrative and other support available to
successfully deliver the project.
If the applicant has formed a collaborative arrangement for this application the
applicant will need to demonstrate in the application:
o the track record of the other collaborating parties in delivering
business advisory services to small businesses; and
o how the applicant will work with the other collaborating parties to
deliver the services.

the level of risk to the success of the project or identification of issues to
overcome, and how the applicant intends mitigate risks or overcome
identified issues.
Criterion 3 The extent to which the applicant demonstrates that the
proposed service and/or project represents value for money for
the Commonwealth.
In addressing this criterion, the applicant will need to demonstrate in the
application:

the projected outputs (activities) of the project

the projected outcomes (benefits or effects) of the project and how the
outcomes will be evaluated (such as use of surveys and evaluation forms,
completed by small businesses who have accessed the services)

a detailed and clear project budget indicating the justification for the figures
to support project activities.

qualitative and quantitative factors (such as the number of small businesses
that the project intends to reach, the amount of time to be spent with these
businesses, the nature of contact, this may include innovative approaches to
the delivery of services)
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4
The application process
4.1
Obtaining an application package
The application package is available by contacting the AusIndustry Hotline on 13
28 46 or by email at hotline@ausindustry.gov.au.
The AusIndustry Hotline will ask you to provide some mandatory basic details of
your organisation at this time.
The application package contains specific instructions on how the application
form is to be completed and submitted. If, after reading those instructions, you
require further information on the process in relation to your application, in the
first instance you should contact the AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46.
4.2
Completing the application form
The application should be final and complete, addressing all questions and
particularly all aspects of the merit criteria. It will not be possible to incorporate
any new material or to make any changes to the application after the closing
date. AusIndustry may, in seeking clarification about aspects of an application,
allow minor corrections to be made. Whether corrections are minor or not will be
determined by AusIndustry at its absolute discretion.
Applicants should be aware that a number of attachments are required to
complete the application, such as a certificate of incorporation and letters of
support. The information required is detailed in the Small Business Advisory
Services Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance Application Form.
4.3
Submitting an application
The completed application is to be submitted as a Microsoft Word document with
the required attachments by email to:
sbasapplications@innovation.gov.au
NOTE: Check your IP provider will allow emails and attachments over 10MG
through their gateway.
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
Do not PDF the application form.

Include all attachments and ensure they are clearly marked.

The email must be sent from the signatory at section E. This signatory must
be an authorised officer of the applicant.
Applications for the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural
Disaster Assistance close at 5pm Australian Eastern Standard Time (AEST) on
Wednesday 10 April 2013.
Applications submitted after this date may not be considered.
4.4
Late Applications
Applications submitted after the closing date and time may not be considered.
Only in exceptional circumstances may an application be accepted after the
closing date, for example if technical difficulties are experienced with the
department’s infrastructure which prevented an application from being received
4.5
Acknowledgment of applications
An acknowledgement email will be sent on receipt of an application. If no
acknowledgement email is received from AusIndustry within 24 hours of
electronic lodgement to sbasapplications@innovation.gov.au please contact the
AusIndustry Hotline on 13 28 46 or by email at hotline@ausindustry.gov.au.
AusIndustry will separately provide confirmation when the application has been
downloaded and is considered to be complete.
5
The assessment and decision process
5.1
Assessment of applicant eligibility
The eligibility of applicants will be determined for all applications received.
Ineligible applicants will be advised of their ineligible status in writing and their
application will not be assessed further.
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5.2
Conflict of Interest
The Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
has procedures for managing disclosure of interest by Departmental staff,
technical experts and other third parties. These procedures are published on the
Department’s website.
Prior to their involvement the Delegate and all departmental persons involved in
the assessment and decision process are required to complete a Conflict of
Interest Declaration.
Persons identifying a conflict of interest, or potential conflict of interest, will be
excluded from all processes relating to that application for which the Department
deems an identified conflict as a material conflict.
5.3
Assessment of applications
All applications from eligible applicants will be assessed against the merit criteria.
Applications that meet the objectives and requirements of these guidelines and
each of the merit criteria to a high degree will, at the absolute discretion of the
Australian Government, be considered for funding support under the program.
The application will be used as the only basis for assessment against the merit
criteria. Consequently, applicants need to answer all questions as clearly and
succinctly as possible and, where necessary, provide evidence to support their
claims. Applicants need to be aware that meeting the eligibility and merit criteria
to a high degree does not guarantee that an offer of funding under the program
will be made.
AusIndustry reserves the right to:

contact the applicant in relation to their application

seek additional expertise, including external assessors, in evaluating the
merits of an application

verify information from external sources.
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5.4
Due diligence
AusIndustry will undertake a due diligence process on those applicants likely to
be recommended to the Minister (as defined in Appendix A) for Small Business
Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance funding.
Background checks of recommended applicants may be relevant to assessing an
application. These may include financial viability, checks for qualifications and past
professional conduct.
5.5
The decision process
The Minister for Small Business has overall responsibility for the Small Business
Advisory Services Program and makes decisions.
The Minister, having considered the advice and recommendations from the
Department, will make the final decision on which applications will receive
funding under the program. The Minister will decide: which applicants will be
funded; the level of funding offered and the conditions of any funding offer. All
decisions are final and there will be no review of decisions.
5.6
Announcement of successful applications
Successful projects may be announced publicly by the Minister. Details of
successful applications will be published by the Department of Industry,
Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education on its website.
Published details will include:

Name of the applicant (and project partner(s), in the case of a collaborative
project)

title of the project

a description of the project and its intended outcomes

amount of funding awarded.
Successful applicants will be contacted by representative of AusIndustry to
arrange the negotiation of their Small Business Advisory Services program
Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance Funding Agreement.
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5.7
Applicant feedback
Following the announcement of successful projects, unsuccessful, applicants will
be provided with an opportunity to discuss the outcome with AusIndustry.
If an application is not successful, applicants will be advised in writing.
5.8
Complaints
5.8.1 Assessment process
If there is a question or complaint concerning the Small Business Advisory
Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance assessment process, the
Program Manager is the first point of contact.
Small Business Advisory Services Program Manager
Small Business Programs
AusIndustry
GPO Box 9839
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 6213 6000
Email: sbas@innovation.gov.au
If the dispute or complaint is not resolved at this point, the dispute/complaint
should be referred to the:
General Manager
Business Development Branch
AusIndustry
GPO Box 9839
Canberra ACT 2601
Phone: 02 613 6000
Email: sbas@innovation.gov.au
Complaints can also be lodged with the Australian Government Ombudsman.
There is no fee for making a complaint and the Ombudsman will conduct an
independent investigation of the concerns. The Ombudsman usually prefers that
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internal processes are worked through before complaining about the assessment
process.
The Ombudsman has offices in all States and Territories. The Ombudsman can be
contacted by telephoning 1300 362 072 or by writing to the relevant contact
address specified on the Ombudsman’s website at www.ombudsman.gov.au.
5.8.2 Customer service
The AusIndustry Customer Service Charter outlines AusIndustry’s commitment to
improving service delivery. It sets out the service standards that AusIndustry aims
to meet and how applicants can help AusIndustry to deliver better services. A
copy of the charter is available at www.ausindustry.gov.au .
AusIndustry conducts customer satisfaction surveys through which feedback from
applicants and recipients of assistance is used to improve business operations and
service.
For customer service complaints, the AusIndustry hotline is the first point of
contact. The hotline directs complaints to the appropriate manager, who will
follow up to ensure the matter is resolved.
Contact the AusIndustry hotline on 13 28 46 or email hotline@ausindustry.gov.au
.
6
Conditions and obligations for successful applicants
6.1
Funding Agreements
If an applicant under the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland
Natural Disaster Assistance accepts an offer of funding in relation to their
application, the applicant must enter into a funding agreement with the
Australian Government. Organisations considering applying for funding are
advised to read the sample funding agreement in order to understand the
obligations they will be required to meet.
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An example of the standard terms of the Small Business Advisory Services
program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance Funding Agreement is available
on the AusIndustry website at www.ausindustry.gov.au under ‘Programs’.
Successful applicants of the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland
Natural Disaster Assistance must be able to commence delivering services
immediately on executing the Small Business Advisory Services program
Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance Funding Agreement.
Note
The successful applicant may commence the provision of services prior to the
Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance
Funding Agreement being executed. However, the Australian Government is not
liable for any expenses incurred prior to the date the funding agreement is
executed or in the event that the funding agreement is not executed
Successful applicants will receive a written offer of funding, and will have a limited
time from the date of the offer to execute a funding agreement with the
Australian Government. AusIndustry may withdraw the offer if conditions of
funding are not met or if the funding agreement is not executed within this time.
The funding agreement will specify, amongst other things, the nature of the low
cost business advisory services to be undertaken by the funding recipient, the
specified time for completion of the project, the amount and timing of funding
payments and reporting and audit requirements.
All funding recipients will be required to have and to maintain certain levels of
insurance (refer to 2.2) for the term of the agreement.
The funding agreement will specify procedures that must be followed in relation
to acknowledging the financial support received from the Australian Government
and in relation to promotional materials. The funding agreement will also set out
the procedures that must be followed if a funding recipient intends to hold an
event (refer definition of Event at Appendix A) in relation to the funded project.
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The funding agreement will also deal with such matters as the obligations that
funding recipients will be required to meet in relation to intellectual property,
privacy and security.
Following the execution of the funding agreement, AusIndustry’s role will be to
provide funding under the agreement and to monitor compliance with its terms
over the duration of the funding agreement.
6.2
Funding payment requirements
The funding agreement will set out the conditions that apply to the making of
funding payments by the Australian Government. All funding recipients will be
required to have an account with an authorised deposit taking institution under
the Banking Act 1959 in which Small Business Advisory Services program
Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance funding must be held. It is AusIndustry's
preference that a separate account be used to hold the funding, but if an
organisation chooses not to because of administrative complexity/cost, then the
organisation will be required to provide details on the handling of funds within
their accounting procedures.
All interest earned on the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland
Natural Disaster Assistance funds held (as a proportion of the total interest
earned on the total amount of funds in the account) must be reported on and
used only for the purposes of the project. All interest will be counted as part of
the payment from the Australian Government during the acquittal of funding.
Any unspent funds must be returned to the Australian Government.
6.3
Project Reporting Requirements
The funding recipient will be required to report to AusIndustry on the overall
progress of the project, addressing performance and expenditure as specified in
the funding agreement. The required reports are:

Progress Report – required quarterly. This report provides comment on the
progress against the Small Business Advisory Services Queensland Natural
Disaster Assistance Funding Agreement and may include but not be limited
to:
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
a summary of the expenditure of funds during the relevant reporting period

the number of businesses assisted by industry category

the number of services provided by service categories

geospatial data describing the location of businesses assisted

data on mentoring and networking events

the record of client contact details collected under clause 10.3 of the Small
Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance
Funding Agreement

commentary regarding specific local and regional issues affecting small
businesses.

End of Financial Year report - a detailed statement of receipts and
expenditure in respect of the Funding, which must include an unqualified
statement as to whether the financial accounts are complete and accurate,
and a statement of the balance of the account.

Final Report –due within 60 days of the completion of the project. This
report provides comment on how the project has met the Small Business
Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance objective
(refer to 1.3 of this guide) and may include, but is not limited to:

commentary on how the funding recipient conducted the project

how access to low cost business advisory services in their region/area/sector
has contributed to the sustainability, productivity and growth of participating
small businesses

and improved the business and/or financial management skills of
participating small businesses.

Audit Report - an independently audited statement confirming the
appropriate use of funding is due within 60 days of the completion of the
project. Funding recipients must acquit all funding received under the Small
Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance.
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Un-acquitted funding (including interest not spent on project activities) must
be returned to the Australian Government.
Reporting templates to assist funding recipients with the reporting requirements
will be developed by AusIndustry which will be available at
www.ausindustry.gov.au.
Funding recipient should be aware that an AusIndustry Compliance Audit may be
conducted on the grant funding.
6.4
Monitoring and Evaluation of the Small Business Advisory
Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance
Funding recipients will, under the terms of the funding agreement, be required to
participate in a broader evaluation of the program, if requested to do so by the
Australian Government. This evaluation will seek to identify the degree to which
the program is meeting its objectives and evaluate the project’s impact on small
businesses. As part of this evaluation, the Australian Government may survey
stakeholders, including small businesses that have been assisted as part of the
Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance.
6.5
Publicity and promotion of successful applications
The Department will report on all successful projects, no later than seven working
days after a funding agreement is signed by both parties.
Brief details of funding recipients may also be used in publicity material produced
in relation to the Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural
Disaster Assistance.
The funding agreement will specify procedures that must be followed in relation
to acknowledging the financial support received from the Australian Government
and in relation to promotional materials. The funding agreement will also set out
the procedures that must be followed if a successful funding recipient intends to
hold a major event (refer definition of Event at Appendix A) in relation to the
funded project.
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Organisations considering applying for funding under the program are advised to
read the sample Small Business Advisory Services program Queensland Natural
Disaster Assistance Funding Agreement in order to understand the obligations
they will be required to meet.
6.6
Taxation
The Department does not give taxation or legal advice. Applicants must take their
own advice on taxation and legal issues as part of deciding whether or not to
apply for funding under the program.
Potential applicants should also be aware that, generally:

funding received by an applicant is included in the applicant’s assessable
income if it is received in relation to the carrying out of a business, unless
the applicant is specifically exempt from income tax

any capital gain on the disposal of an asset is included in an applicant’s
assessable income, unless the applicant is specifically exempt from income
tax

an applicant may be required, with respect to its employees, to pay fringe
benefits tax and to make superannuation contributions to a complying
superannuation fund or to pay the Superannuation Guarantee charge to the
Australian Taxation Office.
7
Privacy and confidentiality
The use and disclosure of information provided by applicants for the Small
Business Advisory Services Program Queensland Natural Disaster Assistance is
regulated by the relevant provisions and penalties of the Industry Research and
Development Act 1986, the Public Service Act 1999, the Public Service
Regulations, the Privacy Act 1988, the Crimes Act 1914, the Criminal Code Act
1995 and general laws of the Commonwealth of Australia. The Department of
Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education has procedures for
managing disclosure of interest by Departmental staff, technical experts and other
third parties. These procedures are published on the Department’s website.
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AusIndustry regards the information contained in applications as private and
confidential and treats it as such. It is subject to the operational need to provide
applications to assessors, and any statutory or legal requirements to provide
information to Parliament and other organisations, for audit, law enforcement,
investigative or other ordered purpose.
As part of the assessment of an application, and in the course of administering
the Small Business Advisory Services Program Queensland Natural Disaster
Assistance, AusIndustry may need to consult with, and provide material from the
application to, other Commonwealth, State and Territory Departments and
Agencies about an applicant’s claims and disclose information about applicants as
needed. AusIndustry may also engage third parties (including auditors) to review
applications to provide technical or financial advice on a contract basis. If this
occurs, AusIndustry will ensure that the parties who are consulted observe
appropriate confidentiality provisions.
Following approval of an application, the broad details of an application (for
example, the identity of the successful applicant, the grant amount and a brief
description of the project) will be published on the Department’s website. This
information may also be disclosed for purposes such as promoting the program
and reporting on its operation and policy development. This information may also
be used in answering questions from the Parliament and its committees.
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Appendix A
Definition of Key Terms
Business is defined as those commercial activities or enterprises
undertaken by an entity that has an Australian Business Number (ABN).
Business Enterprise Centres are defined as incorporated not-for-profit
bodies, which provide low cost services to small businesses as part of an
existing network of business advisory service providers.
Customer Guidelines are guidelines issued by the Delegate relating to
specific matters arising out of the administration of the program and are
in accordance with Ministerial Guidelines.
Delegate means an employee of the Commonwealth who has been
empowered by the Minister with portfolio responsibility for small business,
or otherwise duly authorised, to carry out the relevant function in respect
of the Small Business Advisory Services Program.
Eligible application means an application for grant funding under the
Small Business Advisory Services Program that the Delegate has
determined that meets the eligibility criteria and is eligible for merit
ranking in accordance with the Program's Guidelines.
Event means an event promoting the awarding of the Funding and/or the
launch of the Project.
Intending small business operators are defined as a person/s who has a
business idea and has the intention to develop the idea and start a new
small business or has purchased an existing small business.
Minister means the Australian Government Minister who has portfolio
responsibility for small business.
Registered Business Organisation is an incorporated, not for profit
organisation that provides support to small businesses to help them
achieve sustainability, productivity and/or growth.
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Small businesses –unless otherwise stated in these Guidelines or the
Customer Guidelines – are defined as businesses having less than 20 full
time (or equivalent) employees.

An employee can be defined as a person that a business directly engages
controls and pays a wage for their labour, who does not have a substantial
management role in the day to day operations of the business. If the person
is contributing capital or other resources, has control over how work is done,
and is paid according to the results he or she achieves, then they are almost
certainly not an employee and are likely to be an independent contractor.

Full time work is not less than 35 hours per week. Businesses with a range
of employment arrangements such as casuals and part-time workers, should
calculate the number of hours worked by other than full time employees and
divide that total by 35. For example 3 casual employees working 12 hours
per week work a total of 36 hours per week. This equates to one full time
employee.
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